Wilma Jean Taylor

Wilma Jean Walls Hancock Taylor passed on, trusting in Christ her Savior, on August 1, 2021, at SOMC Hospice. Her family expresses deep gratitude to the Hospice caregivers and staff. A lifelong resident of Scioto County, Jean was born to Edward and Hazel Walls on May 12, 1929. She was married to Robert Hancock (1929-2011) in 1949 and raised four children, all of whom survive her: Janet (Thomas Stern) Hancock-Spears, Brian (Connie) Hancock, Marcia Shedroff, and Teresa (Allen) Franz. One infant son, Randall, preceded her in death. In 1991, Jean married the joy of her life, Frank C. Taylor, and they shared eleven loving, fun-filled years before his death. Jean is survived by one sister, Hazel Lorraine Rickey, of Cartersville, Georgia, and was preceded in death by ten beloved siblings. Also surviving Jean are eight grandchildren: Courtney Hancock Galinger, Aaron Hancock, Ryan Hancock, Craig Hancock, Aubrey Bray, Hilary Bray, Rick Eastwood, and Ryan Eastwood. She also had 20 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. Jean will be lovingly and deeply missed. Jean is remembered for her strong work ethic. As a teenager, she worked at the Ideal Milk Company. She began her retail sales career at Bragdon's and Kobacker's department stores in Portsmouth, and eventually she became the assistant manager and part-owner of the Brant-Appel & Hancock Company in Lucasville. She was also a rural mail carrier in Lucasville. She was a generous woman who valued providing for her children and extended family. Earlier in life, Jean attended and served in various local churches. She also served in civic and community organizations including the Lucasville Civic Club, Valley Alumni Association, Valley Band and Athletic Boosters, Portsmouth Kiwanis Club (25 years), and the SSU Golden Bears. Jean enjoyed ushering at the Vern Riffe Center, and she found her volunteer work with the SOMC Guild and Hospice rewarding. Jean was a lifelong Republican and a past president of the Women's Republican Club. Visitation will be Friday, August 6, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with funeral services immediately following at 1:00 p.m., all at F.C. Daehler Mortuary, 915 Ninth St., Portsmouth. Interment immediately following the service in Memorial Burial Park, Wheelersburg. Pastor John Gowdy officiating. The family requests that masks be worn for visitation and the funeral, and face masks will be provided. Jean's favorite charities are SOMC Hospice and Wounded Warrior Project.